Mentally preparing for competition

[SqrlHntr]

Found this cool article and made me want to ask how do other competitors here mentally prep for competition? 


One thing I noted was the parallel to martial arts and applicability of the mental training techniques. The Alpha state discussed in the article could be practiced through meditation techniques taught in many forms of martial arts to create a mental muscle memory. This essentially makes the act of shooting a meditation itself, not unlike performing a kata in martial arts. Listening to Creedence on the way to the FT match always helps me too. I would say preparing the same way for martial arts is working for me, but would love to hear about what the top shooters do and learn more about the mental game of competition. Always room for improvement!





https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2020/2/16/mental-training-techniques/

 

[Uglyjohn]

I shot skeet then trap then sporting clays competitions for 50yrs, going thru all the mental gymnastics in preparation for an event. The last few years of this required a frequent mental reminder that “this is supposed to be fun”. Now I shoot AG field target to relax and have fun. At this point in life, finding this low stress means of fueling what’s left of my need to compete was a wonderful discovery. Uj

 

[Motorhead]

In the Field target game .... ( 2x AAFTA National Champion & 12+ x State Champion ) it has been a long road doing other sports / hobbies where being able to put on mental / environment blinders when needed has been a really helpful skill to get a handle on. ( Think a Horse pulling carriages ) This is part of the mental game. Tho in competitive sports one Really Needs To Be Aware of the conditions, others around them, while the whole time coming to a self grounded resolve on what is required of yourself when it is Your Turn ! That is when the mental blinders are applied .... TUNE OUT whats around you and THINK step by step the task at hand & do your best at said task WITHOUT over analyzing it. For the experienced, ones 1st instinct on how and what your going to do is many times the best !! Over thinking it, doubting your equipment, your ability are killers !!! Become a machine and just follow your gut instinct shot after shot. Don't fret misses !!!!!!!!!

* The conversation of HOW to think and what to think about and NOT think about is a different conversation !!!

EAT WELL & healthy avoiding ANY caffeine or stimulants. Sugars, Sodas, rev you up sports drinks etc ... 



Just a snippet of my personal preparedness prior to competition events.



Scott S 

 

[AirNGasman]

Being likely the most simple-minded successful FT shooter on Earth, and proud of it, I keep my limited cranial space as uncluttered as possible. That means prioritizing what goes in that deep, dark hole.

High on my list of priorities is simple equipment; in fact, probably the simplest guns, optics and (almost complete lack of) shooting aids and accessories making it to the FT and Pistol FT podium(s). For examples, I use front-focus scopes (look Ma, no sidewheel!), no bubble level, no wind indicator, no electronics, and I shoot from a bum-bag (because you never know when one of them fancy five-gallon buckets might fail). Less gadgetry equals less gadgetry to go haywire; meaning also, fewer convenient EXCUSES.

Though I once used a Neanderthal version of meditation to capture an NRA Silhouette National Record certificate (with a five minute nap before the final bank of animals), the closest I usually come to meditation or mental techniques is reminding myself to relax, taking a few cleansing breaths, and (occasionally) repeating to myself this mantra, "Hey Asshole, this is supposed to be FUN". 

Field target being such a game of precision and equipment, keeping my equipment simple and my noodle uncluttered allows more actual TRIGGER TIME to fine-tune skills, protocols and procedures, and develop a more instinctual familiarity with my simple equipment (and approach). In other words, I supplement equipment, shooting aids, and mental techniques with confidence.

I also sometimes use motivators to great effect. The best motivations for me have proven to be overcoming obstacles/set-backs/frustrations through hardened and/or obstinate RESOLVE, and seeking vengeance. Example- having endured forced absence from high-level FT competition for several years, in October I prevailed against the largest field to ever contest the Republic Of Texas (RoT) Championships in one of the most memorable, gratifying, and epic wins of my thirty some-odd year shooting-competitions experience. Sharing the victory with The Love Of My Life made it all the sweeter!

 

Og iz back!

 

[woogie_man]

Depends on who you are really. What I do to get ready for a competition is probably way different than what you do. Having been in sports all through school, then shooting competitively in the military, I was the one guy on the team that made people mad. I like to dance around and really relax and joke around ( of course while being safe ). When there is a sport that I enjoy, then the competitions become fun for me. Heck when shooting all over the country for the military there are pictures of me laughing and cracking jokes while firing my service rifle. My scores were always in the top 10% of all competitors when I was having a bad day.

To many people get in their own minds and hurt themselves. With shooting, take each shot as its own competition. After you pull the trigger forget about that shot and focus on the next one. Because once you pull that trigger there is nothing you can do to change how it flies. It is done and over with so move on. Now if you focus on that last shot and get worried about that, it will mess you up on the shot and so on and so on.

 

[trlrman]

The having fun part is the most important to me . Prolly why I am never at the top of the board but always leave with a smile on my face.

 

[Centercut]

I really like Ron's ( @airngasman ) and Scott's ( @motorhead ) attitudes to shooting, its the most simplest form of K.I.S.S. I don't have near the experience of Ron or Scott, only having started airgun competition in 2018. But I can totally agree that keeping it simple and "becoming one with the gun" seems to be the best method to success. I've learned much from watching skilled and successful shooters like the two above, and like Bobby Corcorran.

I can remember after the 100 yard final in 2019 at EBR when a few guys asked me if I heard this, or if that noise or whatnot bothered me, and my only thought was "what are you talking about, I didn't notice". Like both of the Pro's mentioned above said, having confidence in your equipment and keeping your head focused is paramount. I shot an EFT event in Phoenix earlier this year (40 shots over 10 lanes), and MISSED 11 out of the first 12 shots. But I remembered from my Navy days, Never Quit, No Fear. And went on a roll for the next 7 lanes that ended up with the win.

 

[Motorhead]

While we are on the subject ... why not visit a bit of that mental masturbation that precedes a competitive event and a bit during .. lol

If you as a competitor really wish to bring your best game, it MUST BE about YOU AND THE COURSE !!! 

No personal chasing of others, attempts in beating someone specific a BIG No No, yea we're talking about being ALONE with no help and no advise asked for or required.

Pretty lonely space and this is where & when you find yourself, your reason for being in the place doing what your doing !!!

Laugh & giggle with other shooters & loosen up, walk the course if allowed, talk to others on what your seeing all the while looking at the overall lay of the land, placement of targets, winds present etc ... 

What you don't want is to be SURPRISED resulting in doubt of what a feature or shot may entail when engaged to shoot it. Now this may be a stretch in reality and that O'poop will happen time to time once there, Don't get unsettled on the what if and tell yourself over and over you can deal with it. if your not stroking yourself understand no one else is going to either !!! Confidence going in equates to Confidence during. 

And VERY MUCH .. have FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If all of it stresses you out your either in the wrong mind set or the wrong game. The single BIGGEST thing to remember is so simple ... IT IS "YOU" ALONE against the course, so any & all choices you have control over .... Learn from mistakes, don't get mad at yourself. Experiences come from doing and not reading about or wishing. Keep the attitude positive and HAVE FUN !!!



Scott S

 

[nomojo65]

AirNGasman and Motorhead said it perfectly, for me anyway! 

I think you should write a book together (A competitive airgun shooters guide to mental preparation…)

I particularly like the front obj. vs. side focus. Finer adj. more accurate, (Simple!) 

 

[kball]

I have not had the pleasure of competing with my air gun yet but as a master class sporting clays shooter for years the most important things I found to prep for a competition started with the physical. Exercise, a good nights sleep, a balanced meal and PLENTY of water to keep the eyes hydrated. As for the mental aspects, clearing the mind of clutter like job stress, an argument with the wife or a woogie yaya'n in the background is essential and you must find a way to let it go. IMO the absolute most important mental function is the pre-shot routine which is a developed sequence of thoughts and/or actions that you memorize and go through to absolutely clear your mind of anything other than the next shot. BTW if you research this you will find that all top tier athletes utilize this one step before they hit a baseball, swing a golf club, release an arrow, change a tire on a NASCAR vehicle etc. By now you have done what you are about to do a gazillion times so the how to in this moment really is not that important if you will just allow your subconscious to take over and execute the action. Hours and hours of practice has have led you through the acquisition of the components and fine tuning adjustments that should make you 100% confident in your equipment. This practice has also taught you how to judge distance, wind, cheek weld, breathing, finger position/pressure, stock position/pressure etc., etc... When it is time to take the shot you push your mind out of the way, allow your subconscious to take over and execute the shot with the absolute most important thing being your razor sharp focus on the target.

Sorry for the rant, I'm not an expert on this subject but it is something I have spent a lot of time researching and practicing.